Theory of Education That Develops the Mind, Improves Relations and Society

Title of the work – the main of the little elements of the text; the name of the text, which is placed before it begins and is separated graphically. Due to the relative independence, individuality and previous position, the title can be called a pretext. The title is an important element of the whole text, since it is all this text, folded up to a brief statement, often consisting of one or two words. Bearing in mind the generation of the text, the title is often compared with the bud from which the whole text develops, like a plant.

Thus, the title is characterized by a compressive logical function. Along with it, the title also performs other functions-informative, aesthetic, advertising. So, in this paper will discussed the matching between title of the work and main ideas of this work, this work is one of the academic texts, is about protecting of women’s right ,written by Wollstonecraft, Mary A vindication of the rights of woman.

This work is one of the most important documents in the history of women’s rights and feminism. The author of this work is Wollstonecraft Mary –was born on April 27,1759.In addition to her passion for philosophy ,she wrote books and was a feminist. And in 1792 , her essay appeared that defended the rights of women. She wanted to prove that a woman is no worse than men .But it seem so, since they do not have the necessary education. For her, all people are sentient beings. By the way, A vindication of the rights of women is a work from feminist philosophy.

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What comes to the reader’s head when he/she first read the title of this work? Usually, readers think this work is about protecting women first come to mind that this work talks about important women’s issues that prevent women from living on an equal footing with men. And than the thing that come second , is author will suggest decision of those problem, this is protecting of the rights of women. Or oppression of women in various walks of life . For instance in politics, in family, at work, in society , readers can think that author will write all about them. As seen title of this work is widescale and large, include in itself.

In the work, the author encourages women to study if they want to occupy some position in society. After a while, she begins to argue that life without women is impossible, since they are raising children. And when necessary, they will always support their husbands. Unfortunately, many men regard women as useless jewelry. This is also what they get when they get married. But the philosopher does not agree with this .It requires a comparison of rights. Therefore, she decided to argue with the authors of some books, for example, with John Gregory, as well as with philosophers who did not want women to receive education. In the book of Rousseau it is even written that women need to be educated so that they bring pleasure to men. The author of the book decided to explain to women about their limitations. It turns out that women are told that they should be beautiful , and they should not be smart, because for them the main thing is a beautiful body. If the girls were less told about the importance of appearance, then they could not just stay at home, but achieve something. The culmination of this work is chapter 12, it is called On national education. Since this chapter is considered the main chapter, in this work will discussed about this chapter, in other words there will be an analysis to the title, the main ideas of this chapter ,and finally will discussed about hoe the title represent to the ideas of the chapter , or about the matching between the title of this chapter and whole text of the chapter. The title of the chapter is short, and the chapter itself is rather long. The title of the chapter supports the basic ideas of this chapter, but since revolutionary ideas are raised in the chapter, representation of the title is weak.

The title of this chapter is really short. When readers read the title of a chapter, they think about a term- national education. National education- is a continuous process of education and training, which is based on the traditional education system, national language, culture, moral values, aimed at the formation of national self-awareness as a necessary condition for the development of holistic personality, brought up in the spirit of national tolerance and respect for other nations. And of course, readers will think that the author wrote about the system of education which weigh down the rights of women, in other words, the readers think that author wrote about some rules which against women’s education. Or since the work itself is called the protection of women’s rights, the author in this chapter will protect the rights of women in the field of education. Except that the title is very short for such a huge text and also not clear. That is the reader does not exactly understand what will be discussed in the chapter. But some approximate guesses match the text. Because the chapter is really about education, Wollstonecraft argues that education should be a national affair. In this chapter she also analyzes current education options available at the time: home and private schools. . ‘Women have been allowed to remain in ignorance and slavish dependence for many, many, many years, and yet we only hear about their love for pleasure’ (Wollstonecraft Mary,198). She wrote about her idea that the poor education of women is the reason for their shortcomings, describing the thoughtless or tasteless reactions of women to art and music and reminding the reader that the woman has few opinions because she did not receive an education for her further development. This is a national education which is stated in the title, this means that the title supports the basic ideas of the chapter.

But looking at some chapter’s ideas reader can understand that when he or she was reading the title of the chapter , she/he was not thinking that in this chapter would meet such ideas. In this chapter the author shifts to the culmination of her work, and its most daring proposals. Wollstonecraft argues that education should be equally accessible to both boys and girls, no matter how rich their families are. That is why she believes that there should be a national system of public schools that would be free for children up to a certain age. The author believes that the only way to create equality and respect between men and women is to socialize them from a young age. It probably sounds familiar; it is very similar to today’s public school system but, her description of education is revolutionary for her time. Because, female education during the 17-18th centuries. basically it came down to skills that helped middle and upper class women look for husbands, that is, it was enough to teach girls dances, singing and needlework.

Wollstonecraft reminds the reader that the main problem of women is precisely this system of education because women at that time received education only for their future husbands and not for themselves. And these formations did not raise reasoning in women. Reasoning was the main value at this time. Since women did not receive sufficient education; they have low reasoning; women cannot be free, equal, thereby contributing to the members of society to receive the education that they are currently receiving. She refers to the shortcomings that she attributes to poor education: the lack of artistic appreciation and the tendency to do things “for show”, and not because of true understanding. Wollstonecraft describes a wide and varied curriculum, including many sciences, history, reading, writing, mathematics and much more. After nine years, she offers to separate students so that they can receive basic education together in the morning, but spend days divided according to their plans for the future. Wollstonecraft claims that this education plan will solve problems in this school system. This would definitely change the “custom of pinning girls” and help them not to behave childishly and petty. Аnd the result is a concrete, detailed and surprisingly modern education plan. As seen, this is more than a just national education, how wrote in the title of the chapter, this is the Wollstonecraft’s theory about education.

The best title for this chapter would be: “The theory of education is designed to develop the mind, to improve relations and society as a whole”. What is the theory? Theory is the in a broad sense – complex of views , ideas , thoughts , directed to the interpretation and explanation. According to this explanation of the theory, readers of this work may have questions, for example, what theory did Wollstonecraft come up with in her book, where and how did she explain this theory. Without rejecting the female role of mother, mistress, and wife, Wollstonecraft argues that women will better fulfill these roles if they receive a better education, this is the theory of Wollstonecraft. “My observations on national education are obviously hints; but I principally wish to enforce the necessity of educating the sexes together to perfect both, and make of children sleep at home that they may learn to love home, yet to make private support, instead of smothering, public affections, they should be sent to school to mix with a number of equals, for only by the jostlings of equality can we form a just opinion of ourselves”(Mary Wollstonecraft 204). Reading this phrase it is easy to understand that the purpose of this work of Wollstonecraft is not only to talk about national education, but also to offer something like her own, her ideas, new curriculum, her arguments against existing education system. Because of this the previous name of the chapter does not represent her main addresses in the chapter.

As she offers her ideas, and then she explains and proves them, the title of this chapter should be ‘The theory of education that develops the mind, improves relations and society as a whole’. Wollstonecraft said: “…make women rational creatures, and free citizens, and they will quickly become a good wives and mothers;”(Wollstonecraft Mary 209). It means that education of women is profitable for women, and also for men too. And therefore the idea that Wollstonecraft offers is useful for everyone, for society and she wanted to say this in this chapter, not only speaks of national education. For example, she in this chapter suggests allowing women to study anatomy and medicine, not for to take care of their own health, but also to be an educated nurses for their husbands, parents, for their children. Because at that time it was women who were engaged in such matters, but women were forbidden to study such sciences as anatomy and medicine, if they were allowed to, it would be useful for all people.

A proponent of political reform, a human rights activist, writer, reviewer, philosopher, author of a national education project, and an early feminist – all of these definitions characterize the figure of Wollstonecraft equally. One of her most popular works is considered A Vindication of the Rights of Woman. A Vindication of the Rights of Woman – is a passionate appeal to give a woman such an education that would ensure her economic freedom and self-esteem. The author of the book saw her task as giving certain ideas in the field of education that change society for the better. The strongest ideas and evidence will come up in chapter 12 of this book, and this chapter is the culmination of the whole book, the culmination of Wollstonecraft itself. And such a chapter needs a clear and understandable title like ‘The theory of education that develops the mind, improves relations and society as a whole.’

References:

1. Wollstonecraft, Mary. A Vindication rights of woman. Edited by Eileen Hunt Botting. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2014